Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Manilkara zapota L.(chiku)leaves by sequential soxhlet extraction method

Objective: Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Manilkara zapota L. (chiku)leaves was studied. Methods: The antioxidant property of different solvent extracts of Manilkara zapota L. leaves was evaluated by DPPH free radical, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment, while the antimicrobial property was evaluated by agar well diffusion method against some of the tested food borne, spoilage, pathogenic and skin disease causing microorganisms. Results: The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of acetone extract was better than that of standard ascorbic acid and superoxide anion scavenging activity of acetone extract was better than that of standard gallic acid. It showed good reducing capacity assessment also. Maximum phenol content was also present in acetone extract thus supporting the idea that phenolic content and antioxidant activity show a direct correlation. Acetone extract showed significant antimicrobial activity amongst all the different solvent extracts. Conclusion: Result presented here suggest that acetone extract of M. zapota leaves possess strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and it may be considered as an interesting and economic source of antioxidants and antimicrobics for therapeutic or nutraceutical industries and for food manufactures or pharmaceuticals.